A new report highlights a significant increase in Islamophobic incidents across Australia, with Muslim women being the primary targets. According to the Islamophobia Register, 675 incidents were reported between January 2023 and November 2024, marking a record high. A notable spike occurred in the three weeks following October 7, 2023.

The report, analyzed by researchers from Monash and Deakin University, found that Muslim women and girls were overrepresented among victims, accounting for 79% of verbal abuse reports and 95% of incidents on public transport. Verbal harassment was the most common form of in-person attack, making up 61% of reported cases. Perpetrators were predominantly men and boys (72% of incidents).

The Islamophobia Register, a not-for-profit organization tracking hate crimes and discrimination against Muslims, has been publishing such reports since 2014. The report's authors believe these findings reflect only a fraction of the actual incidents due to underreporting, often caused by lack of awareness or fear that authorities won't take action.